Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Grace: Unwelcome Advances

I have to leave the pack.

This realization is a long time coming, but when I wake up to Rafe's face staring down at me, in the relative safety of my own room, it's a decision made for me.

I'm not safe anywhere. Not even where I sleep.

"Don't shout," he whispers, placing a hand over my mouth.

I wasn't going to, anyway. No one would come to my aid here.

My nod seems to relieve him, because he lets me go and sits on my bed without asking for permission.

I sit up, my fingers clutching the blanket and pulling it over my chest. The thin fabric offers little protection, but it's all I have against Rafe's piercing blue gaze. I'm still wearing my clothes from yesterday, but being in my bed—in my room—leaves me feeling vulnerable.

My heart pounds, a traitorous rhythm that threatens to betray my resolve.

"What are you doing here?"

Rafe's sun-bright hair catches the dim light, a halo around his perfect features. His blue eyes, once a source of comfort, now make my stomach twist.

All I can see is how he dumped me for Ellie the moment he realized they were mates.

"How are you doing, Grace?"

His hand reaches for mine. I flinch away, pressing myself against the headboard.

"What are you doing here?" The words come out sharper this time.

Rafe's shoulders slump, and he runs a hand through his hair, mussing the perfect strands. "I'm worried about you."

A harsh laugh escapes my lips before I can stop it. "That's rich."

"I mean it, Grace. I care about you."

"You have a funny way of showing it."

His sad facade fades as his jaw clenches. There's a tick beneath his skin, a twitching that only serves to remind me he's changed. Like a personality transplant. Or, worse—I never knew him at all. "It's complicated."

"No, it's not. You chose her. You made that perfectly clear."

a flash of amber bleeding into the blue of his eyes. My lack of submission must anger his wolf, too. "It's not

I cut him off, wishing my words came out with more scorn and less trembling. "I

leans forward, his scent washing over me. Trees and earth and everything I once called home. "Grace, please. I never meant to hurt

The words hang between us, heavy and

for me again, and this time I let him take my hand. His touch sends sparks racing up my arm, and I hate myself for the way my

miss you," he

myself imagine a world where we could go back to the way things were. But then I remember Ellie's cruel smile. His indifference in the forest, when I was near-naked and terrified. And how impossible it is for me to remain in

my hand away. "You don't get to miss me. You don't get to come in

rises, and I flinch. He takes a deep breath, visibly trying to calm himself. "I know things are different now, but that doesn't mean I've

me with no way to express how I feel. So I laugh. A brittle, sharp, broken sound. "Like how your

hand and holding tight, not letting me go.

head, disbelief coursing through me. "It's not just about how Ellie treats me. It's about how

can't go against my mate, Grace. You know

are you here?" I demand, anger finally

too close. His hand cups my cheek, and I hate the way I lean into his touch. Like a

to let him kiss me, to pretend that

I hate him.

miss him. So

everything. I dreamed of a future with him. I

scrambling out of bed. "Get

"Grace—"

legs shake beneath me. The temptation of the familiar is terrifying. "You don't get to have both

so attractive

hurts. Again. "No, I'm not. I'm human, remember? I don't belong

with amber fire; his wolf is fighting for control. He steps

he insists, resting a hand on the wall beside my head. "You're just angry with me. It's okay, Gracie.

hand, brushing it against my jaw in

is not the Rafe I

thoughts. He wanted me

didn't ever claim to own

"I just want to be left alone. If Ellie finds out

drawn to my lips. "We'll keep it quiet. I promise I won't

she's not stupid.

his eyes, even as his hand strokes my cheek in a gentle caress. "It's okay, Gracie. I'll make it okay. We can still be together in the end. I know I said things that hurt

hand, in soft, sensual kisses that

mistake, Grace. But I'm going to get you back. You'll

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